Method and apparatus for providing multiple applications

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for providing a plurality of applications are provided. The method includes determining at least a partial area of a User Interface (UI) corresponding to an input, generating a window based on the at least the partial area, displaying an application list related to the window, and based on an input of selecting one application from the application list, providing the selected application through the window.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Sep. 2, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial number 10-2013-0105093, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus forconfiguring a multi-window based on an input and simultaneouslyproviding various applications in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

An electronic device may be configured to provide various applications.For example, the various applications may include an application forexchanging a message through a network, an application for obtaining animage through a camera, an application for providing voicecommunication, an application for reproducing a video, an applicationfor receiving a broadcasting signal and providing a video or audioprogram, and the like.

Further, the electronic device may be implemented in various types.Various types of electronic devices include a stationary electronicdevice such as a TeleVision (TV) having a large display, a portableelectronic device such as a smart phone having a portable size, awearable electronic device such as a watch, glasses, clothes, or a beltwhich can be worn on a user's body, and the like.

The electronic devices include an electronic device which simultaneouslyprovides a plurality of applications through a plurality of windows (forexample, a multi-window) according to a user's request for simultaneousreception of various applications.

Recently, electronic devices may configure a plurality of applicationsin a multi-window type, so as to provide convenience to users. However,a configuration of the multi-window type is fixed to a predeterminedform. Particularly, a fixed multi-window for executing a plurality ofapplications calls and uses a multi-window bar for user convenience. Themulti-window bar is disposed in a predetermined area of a display andhas a button unit for calling the multi-window. As a result, themulti-window implementing a plurality of applications having themulti-window bar and the button makes the configuration for variousexecution screens complex. For example, a layout of a window isconfigured while an application which a user desires to execute isselected from various applications and is executed by a tap action or adrag & drop action. The window may be switched to a pop-up windowthrough an additional menu of an application being executed on an entirescreen or another function is performed on a pop-up window by anadditional call related to the application while the application isexecuted. Accordingly, such a method has a limitation and deterioratesthe appearance.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a method and an apparatus for generating amulti-window corresponding to inputs, displaying an application list onthe generated multi-window, and providing an application selected fromthe application list on the multi-window.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method isprovided. The method includes determining at least a partial area of aUser Interface (UI) corresponding to an input, generating a window basedon the at least the partial area, displaying an application list relatedto the window, and based on an input of selecting one application fromthe application list, providing the selected application through thewindow.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method isprovided. The method includes displaying one or more first windows,generating a second window in a partial area of the one or more firstwindows based on a user input, displaying an application list throughthe second window, selecting an application from the application list,and providing the selected application through the second window.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anapparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit configuredto display one or more first windows and a second window based on atleast a partial area of the one or more first windows, a touch sensorconfigured to detect an input in the one or more first windows, and acontroller configured to control generation of the second window basedon the at least the partial area of the one or more first windowscorresponding to the input, controlling a display of an application listthrough the second window, and a control to display an applicationselected from the application list on the second window.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording a programfor executing a method is provided. The method includes determining atleast a partial area of a UI corresponding to an input, generating awindow based on the at least the partial area, displaying an applicationlist related to the window, and, based on an input of selecting at leastone application from the application list, providing the selectedapplication through the window.

A method and an apparatus for providing a plurality of applicationsaccording to various embodiments can generate an additional window basedon an input, so as to provide a user with an intuitive method ofexecuting a plurality of applications.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of changing an input mode to awindow generation mode according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate examples of displaying a secondwindow according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate examples of displaying a secondwindow according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate examples of splitting a screen anddisplaying a second window according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate examples of re-splitting a screen in astate where the screen is split and displaying a third window accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate examples of re-splitting a screen ina state where the screen is split and displaying an additional windowaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a windowaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

The aforementioned electronic device according to the variousembodiments of the present disclosure may include all devices using anApplication Processor (AP), a Graphic Processing unit (GPU), and aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), such as all information communicationdevices, all multimedia devices, and all application devices thereof,which support the functions of the present disclosure. For example, theelectronic device may include at least one of a smart phone, a tabletPersonal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader,a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a PDA, a PortableMultimedia Player (PMP), a digital audio player, a mobile medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device (for example, a Head-Mounted-Device(HMD) such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronicbracelet, an electronic necklace, an electronic appcessory, anelectronic tattoo, and a smart watch.

According to another embodiment, the electronic devices may be smarthome appliances adopting a communication function. For example, thesmart home appliance may include at least one of a television, a DigitalVideo Disk (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, avacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an aircleaner, a set-top box, a TeleVision (TV) box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™,Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a game console, an electronic dictionary, anelectronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic photo frame.

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may include atleast one of various types of medical devices (for example, MagneticResonance Angiography (MRA), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ComputedTomography (CT), a scanning machine, ultrasonic wave device and thelike), a navigation device, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver,an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), a carinfotainment device, ship electronic equipment (for example, navigationequipment for a ship, a gyro compass and the like), avionics, a securitydevice, and an industrial or home robot.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include at leastone of a part of furniture or a building/structure having acommunication function, an electronic board, an electronic signaturereceiving device, a projector, and various types of measuringinstruments (for example, a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter,a radio wave meter, and the like). The electronic device according tothe present disclosure may be a combination of one or more of theaforementioned various devices. Further, it is obvious to those skilledin the art that the electronic device according to the presentdisclosure is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device may include a wirelesscommunication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a touch screen 130, acontroller 140, and other similar and/or suitable components.

The wireless communication unit 110 may perform communication of theelectronic device. The wireless communication unit 110 forms acommunication channel with a supportable mobile communication network toperform communication, such as voice communication, video communication,data communication and the like. The wireless communication unit 110 mayinclude a radio frequency transmitter for up-converting and amplifying afrequency of a transmitted signal and a radio frequency receiver for lownoise-amplifying and down-converting a frequency of a received signal.Further, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a mobilecommunication module (for example, a 3-generation mobile communicationmodule, a 3.5-generation mobile communication module, a 4-generationmobile communication module or the like). In addition, the wirelesscommunication unit 110 may include a short-range communication modulefor supporting a short-range communication technology (for example,Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC),or the like).

The storage unit 120 may store a program and data required foroperations of the electronic device and may be divided into a programarea and a data area. The program area may store a program controllinggeneral operations of the electronic device, an Operating System (OS)and an application program booting the electronic device and the like.The data area is an area storing data generated according to the use ofthe electronic device and may store, for example, an image, a dynamicimage and the like.

The touch screen 130 is an input/output means for simultaneouslyperforming an input function and a display function, and may include atouch sensor 131 and a display unit 132. Further, when a touch input ofan input tool (for example, a finger of the user or an electronic pen)is made by the touch sensor 131 while a particular screen is displayedthrough the touch unit 132, the touch screen 130 may transmit an inputsignal according to the touch input to the controller 140. Then, thecontroller 140 may distinguish touch inputs and control an operationaccording to the touch input.

According to an embodiment, the touch sensor 131 may detect touch inputs(for example, long press, tap, drag, sweep, flick, multi-touch and thelike) of the user of contacting a surface of the touch screen 130. Whenthe touch sensor 131 senses the touch input of the user from the surfaceof the touch screen 130, the touch sensor 131 may detect a coordinatewhere the touch input is generated and transmit the detected coordinateto the controller 140. The controller 140 may perform a functioncorresponding to an area where the touch input is generated, by a signaltransmitted from the touch sensor 131. The touch sensor 133 may beconfigured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specificportion of the display unit 132 or a change in an electrostatic capacitygenerated at a specific portion of the display unit 132 into an electricinput signal. The touch sensor 131 may be configured to detect a touchpressure according to an applied touch method as well as a touchedposition and a touched area.

According to any embodiment, the touch sensor 131 may distinguish anddetect types of input tools (for example, a user's finger and anelectronic pen) performing an input on a window screen (for example, afirst window or a multi-window). For example, a touch input by thefinger may be identified through recognition of a change in current at atouched position, and an input by the electronic pen (for example, atouch input, a hovering input, or the like) may be identified throughdetection of an electromagnetic field formed by an electromagneticinduction phenomenon. Further, when a touch input by the electronic penis generated in a state where a button formed in the electronic pen ispressed, the touch input is distinguished from a touch input through ageneral electronic pen.

The display unit 132 may display various screens according to the use ofthe electronic device. For example, a menu, input data, and variouspieces of information are visually provided to the user. In any example,the display unit 132 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), anOrganic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), or any other similar and/orsuitable display device.

According to an embodiment, the display unit 132 may display a homescreen or an application selected by the user on a window screen (forexample, a first window or a multi-window). Further, the display unit132 may display the second window corresponding to a touch input (forexample, a finger input by the user or a touch input by the electronicpen) generated by the user in the first window. For example, the secondwindow may be displayed in a pop-up window type or a split window type.For example, the second window may display an application list (forexample, an application configured by the user, an application which canbe used in a multi-window and the like). The display unit 132 maydisplay (or provide) an application selected by the user from theapplication list in the second window.

The controller 140 may control operations of the electronic device and asignal flow between internal components of the electronic device (forexample, the wireless communication unit 110, the storage unit 120, andthe touch screen 130), perform a function of processing data, andcontrol power supplied to the components from a battery.

According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may detect execution ofan application according to an input of the user (for example, touchinput) and control to display the application in the first window.

According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may change an input modeto a window generation mode. For example, the controller 140 may obtainan input (for example, user input) for executing the window generationmode through the touch sensor 131. When the controller 140 obtains aninput of selecting a menu button, the controller 140 may control todisplay a menu. When the controller 140 detects an input of selecting awindow generation mode menu from the displayed menu, the controller 140may change the input mode to the window generation mode. For example,when the controller 140 obtains the input of selecting the menu buttonin the window screen (for example, the first window or themulti-window), the controller 140 may control to display the menu. Whenthe controller 140 obtains the input of selecting the window generationmode menu from the display menu, the controller 140 may control tochange the input mode for the window generation mode. The controller 140may change the input mode to the window generation mode according towhether the button 21 of the electronic pen 20 is pressed or whether ageneration mode switching menu is selected. Alternatively, when adesignated gesture input (for example, an input of drawing a coil) isobtained or an input of drawing a predetermined waveform (for example, azigzag) is obtained, the controller 140 may change the input mode to thewindow generation mode. Alternatively, when an input repeatedly movingwithin a predetermined area is obtained, the electronic device maychange the input mode to the window generation mode.

Further, the controller 140 may detect an input (hereinafter, referredto as a “generation request input” for convenience in the description)of the user for generating the second window in a state where the firstwindow is displayed. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 maydetermine an input generated in a state where the input mode is changedto the window generation mode as the generation request input. Forexample, when an electronic pen input is obtained in the first window(for example, on the first window) or a neighboring area of the firstwindow (for example, under, over, or around the first window) in a statewhere the button of the electronic pen is pressed (for example, in thewindow generation mode), the controller 140 may determine the electronicpen input as the generation request input. In another example, thecontroller 140 may determine a touch input obtained by the provided UserInterface (UI) as the generation request input in a state where theinput mode is changed to the window generation mode through the menubutton.

In any embodiment, the controller 140 may determine an input obtained onthe first window after the input mode is changed to the windowgeneration mode through the menu as the generation request input. Forexample, the controller may obtain an input of selecting a menu forswitching the input mode to the window generation mode and determine aninput generated after the switching to the window generation mode as thegeneration request input.

The controller 140 may recognize a position (or area) corresponding tothe generation request input and may control to display the secondwindow based on the corresponding position (or area). According to anembodiment, the controller 140 may obtain an input of drawing a closedcurve or an open curve through the touch screen 130 in the windowgeneration mode. The controller 140 may generate and display the secondwindow (for example, pop-up type) inscribed or circumscribed in an areacorresponding to the input. Alternatively, the controller 140 maygenerate and display the second window matching an area corresponding tothe closed curve.

According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may detect an input madein the form of line (for example, a curve) of one or more strokes in thewindow generation mode. The controller 140 may generate and display thesecond window of an area corresponding to the input (an areacorresponding to a rectangle having an upper left coordinate and a lowerright coordinate of the line as vertexes facing each other).

According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may obtain an input ofcrossing at least a part (for example, a part or entirety of the firstwindow) of the touch screen 130 (for example, in a horizontal, vertical,or diagonal direction) in the window generation mode. The controller 140may generate and display the second window based on the input (forexample, generation request input). For example, the controller 140 maysplit an area corresponding to the first window into a first area and asecond area (for example, a horizontal division) based on the input ofcrossing the first window obtained in the window generation mode, anddisplay the first window in the first area and the second window in thesecond area. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may changean application being executed in the first window to be suitable for asize of the first area and display the changed application.

According to an embodiment, when the size of the area corresponding tothe input is smaller than a predetermined size (for example, a minimumsize which the second window can have (for example, a size larger than ⅕of the entire screen)), the controller 140 may generate and display thesecond window having a predetermined size including the areacorresponding to the input (for example, the minimum size which thesecond window can have (for example, a size corresponding to ⅖ of theentire screen)). In any embodiment, when the size of the areacorresponding to the input is larger than a predetermined size (forexample, a size larger than ⅘ of the entire screen), the controller 140may generate and display the second window in a predetermined sizeincluded in the area corresponding to the input (for example, a maximumsize which the second window can have (for example, a size correspondingto ⅗ of the entire screen)).

The controller 140 may display (or provide) an application list relatedto the second window. For example, the controller 140 may provide anapplication list which can be executed in the second window. Accordingto an embodiment, the controller 140 may control to display anapplication list related to the second window in the second window. Inthe application list related to the second window, an applicationconfigured by the user and an application which can be used in thesecond application may be variously indicated by an icon, a text, a listor the like.

When an input of selecting one application from the application list isobtained, the controller 140 may provide the selected application (forexample, second application) to the second window.

The electronic device may have a more or fewer components than thoseillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the electronic device according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure may include varioussensors (for example, an infrared sensor, an illuminance sensor, animage sensor, a proximity sensor and the like) and a broadcast receptionmodule which receives a broadcast signal from an external broadcastmanagement server through a broadcast channel (for example, a satellitebroadcast channel, a terrestrial broadcast channel, or the like).

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of changing an input mode to awindow generation mode according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the controller 140 may control to change an inputto a window generation mode based on an input. For example, thecontroller may obtain an input for selecting a menu button 34 of theelectronic device, a key button (not shown) of the electronic device, ora menu button (not shown) provided to a first window 201. Based on theinput, the controller 140 may generate a menu 30 on the first window201. The user may select a draw window 32 in the generated menu 30 togenerate a window. When the controller 140 detects a touch input of theuser input into the draw window 32, the controller 140 may change theinput mode to the window generation mode. When the input mode is changedto the window generation mode, the controller 140 may determine thetouch input of the user (for example, input by a finger of the user oran electronic pen) as a touch input for generating the window and thenoperate.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the controller 140 may change the input mode tothe window generation mode based on an input of an electronic pen 20.For example, the controller 140 may obtain an input of the electronicpen 20 of touching or hovering on the window (for example, first windowor second window). Alternatively, the controller 140 may obtain an inputof the electronic pen 20 of controlling a button 21 attached to theelectronic pen 20. Alternatively, the controller 140 may obtain acombination of inputs of the electronic pen 20. Alternatively, thecontroller 140 may generate a menu 36 on the first window 201 based onthe input of the electronic pen 20. When the controller 140 detects auser input of selecting the draw window 38, the controller 140 maychange the input mode to the window generation mode. When the input modeis changed to the window generation mode, the controller 140 maydetermine the input (for example, touch input by the user (for example,input by the finger of the user or the electronic pen) as an input forgenerating the window and then operate.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate examples of displaying a secondwindow according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, in a state in which the inputmode is changed to the window generation mode, the controller 140 maydetect a touch input of the user in the form of one or more strokes oflines (for example, a curve) on a window screen (for example, firstwindow, multi-window or the like). According to an embodiment, when theinput is made in the form of one or more strokes of lines, thecontroller 140 may generate and display the second window in an areacorresponding to a rectangle having two vertexes facing each other in anupper left coordinate and a lower right coordinate of the correspondingline. In any example, the controller 140 may generate the second windowbased on coordinates of the input lines of one or more strokes. Forexample, the controller 140 may obtain coordinates of one or morestrokes of lines. A length of the line with respect to an x-axis or ay-axis can be calculated using a smallest value and a largest value ofcoordinates of the x-axis and the y-axis. For example, in a coordinatesystem indicated by (x, y), the controller 140 may obtain coordinates(2, 6), (3, 7), (4, 7), and (5, 6) of the line. The controller 140 mayobtain a length 3 of the line with respect to the x-axis by using asmallest value 2 and a largest value 5 of the x coordinates. Further,the controller 140 may obtain a length 1 of the line with respect to they-axis by using a smallest value 6 and a largest value 7 of the ycoordinates. The controller 140 may generate the second window based onthe obtained length of the line with respect to the x-axis or they-axis. Additionally or alternatively, when the length of the line withrespect to the x-axis or the y-axis is smaller than a specified value,the controller 140 may generate the second window by using the specifiedvalue.

According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may generate the secondwindow based on coordinates of the input line of one or more strokescorresponding to a horizontal line (e.g., there is no change in acoordinate of the y-axis (for example, an amount of the change in thecoordinate of the y-axis=0)) or a vertical line (e.g., there is nochange in a coordinate of the x-axis (for example, an amount of thechange in the coordinate of the x-axis=0)). For example, the controller140 may determine a size of the second window (for example, a height)based on the length of the input line of the y-axis when the linecorresponds to the vertical line (for example, the amount of the changein the coordinate of the x-axis=0) and determine a size (for example, awidth) of the second window based on a predetermined size (for example,a rectangle according to an aspect ratio, a square corresponding to theinput line length or the like). Alternatively, the controller 140 maydetermine a size of the second window (for example, a width) based onthe length of the input line of the x-axis when the line corresponds tothe horizontal line (for example, the amount of the change in thecoordinate of the y-axis=0) and determine a size (for example, a height)of the second window based on a predetermined size (for example, arectangle according to an aspect ratio, a square corresponding to theinput line length or the like).

Referring to FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment, the controller 140 maysense a touch input of the user in the form of line 40 of one or morestrokes in the first window 201 to generate a window. Referring to FIG.3B, when the line 40 of one or more strokes is input as the touch inputof the user, the controller 140 may generate a second window 203 basedon the line 40. For example, the controller 140 may generate the secondwindow 203 having a size corresponding to coordinates of an upper leftend and a lower right end (or an upper right end and a lower left end)in the form of popup window. When the second window 203 in the form ofpopup window is generated, the controller 140 may display an applicationlist 42 on the second window 203 as illustrated in FIG. 3C. Thedisplayed application list may include an application icon configured bythe user, an application icon which can be used in the second window andthe like. In a state where the application list is displayed on thesecond window 203, the controller 140 may detect a touch input 44 of theuser for executing an application. The user may execute a desiredapplication through the touch input (for example, by a finger or anelectronic pen) on the second window 203 displaying the applicationlist. The controller 140 may display an application executed through auser input on the second window 203 as illustrated in FIG. 3D.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate examples of displaying a secondwindow according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the controller 140 may obtain a generation requestinput in the first window 201. For example, the controller 140 mayobtain an input (for example, generation request input) in the form ofclosed curve on the first window 201. For example, the controller 140may obtain an input 50 of drawing a closed curve while pressing a buttonof the electronic pen 20 (for example, in a window generation mode).Further, the controller 140 may obtain a finger input of the user ofdrawing a closed curve in a state where the input mode has been changedto the window generation mode. Referring to FIG. 4B, the controller 140may generate the second window 203 inscribed or circumscribed in an areacorresponding to the input 50. In another embodiment, the second window203 matching the area corresponding to the input may be generated.Referring to FIG. 4C, the controller 140 may display an application list52 related to the second window 203 on the second window 203. Theapplication list 52 may include an application icon configured by theuser, an application icon which can be used in the second window and thelike. In any embodiment, the application list may be expressed invarious ways, such as an icon, a text list and the like. The controller140 may obtain an input of selecting at least one application from theapplication list. Referring to FIG. 4D, the selected application may beprovided to the second window 203.

According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may provide theapplication or a function thereof according to different attributesbased on a size of the generated second window. For example, when thesize of the second window 203 is a first size (for example, the size islarger than ¼ of an entire size of the touch screen 130), the controller140 may provide the application according to a first attribute (forexample, in the form of music player application). Alternatively, whenthe size of the second window 203 is a second size (for example, thesize is equal to or smaller than ¼ of an entire size of the touch screen130), the controller 140 may provide the application according to asecond attribute (for example, in the form of music player widget).

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate examples of splitting a screen anddisplaying a second window according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the controller 140 may obtain a generation requestinput in an area of the first window 201. For example, the controllermay obtain an input of crossing at least a part (for example, the firstwindow 201) of the touch screen 130 in a horizontal direction 62 in thewindow generation mode (for example, while pressing the button 21 of theelectronic pen 20). The controller 140 may split the area correspondingto the first window 201 into upper and lower areas (for example, a firstarea and a second area) based on a position where the generation requestinput is obtained or the line 60 drawn by the generation request inputin the area of the first window 201. The controller 140 may display thefirst window in at least one (for example, the first area) of the upperand lower areas and display the second window in the other area (forexample, the second area).

Referring to FIG. 5B, the controller 140 may display an application list64 related to the second window 203. The controller 140 may obtain aninput of selecting at least one application from the application list64. Referring to FIG. 5C, the selected application may be provided tothe second window 203. According to an embodiment, the controller 14 mayprovide the application list through the first window, a separate window(for example, a popup window) or a menu.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate examples of re-splitting a screen in astate where the screen has been split and displaying a third windowaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6A, in a state where the first window 201 and thesecond window 203 are displayed, the controller 140 may obtain ageneration request input in the area of the first window 201. Forexample, the controller 140 may obtain an input of crossing at least apart (for example, the first window 201) of the touch screen 130 in avertical direction in the window generation mode. The controller 140 maysplit the area corresponding to the first window 201 into left and rightareas (for example, a third area and a fourth area) based on a positionwhere the generation request input is generated or a line 70 drawn bythe generation request input in the first window 201. The controller 140may display the first window in at least one (for example, the thirdarea) of the left and right areas and display the second window in theother area (for example, the fourth area).

Referring to FIG. 6B, the controller 140 may display an application list72 (for example, a list of executable applications) related to the thirdwindow 205. The controller 140 may obtain a user input of selecting atleast one application from the application list 72. Referring to FIG.6C, the controller 140 may provide the selected application to the thirdwindow 205.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate examples of re-splitting a screen ina state where the screen is split and displaying an additional windowaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7A, in a state where the first window 201 and thesecond window 203 are displayed, the controller 140 may obtain ageneration request input in the area of the first window 201 and thearea of the second window 203. For example, the controller 140 mayobtain an input (for example, a drag input) of crossing at least a part(for example, the first window 201 and the second window 203) of thetouch screen in a vertical direction in the window generation mode (forexample, in switching through a selection of a menu button). Thecontroller 140 may split each of the areas corresponding to the firstwindow 201 and the second window 203 into left and right areas (forexample, a third area, a fourth area, a fifth area, and a sixth area)based on a position where the generation request input is generated or aline 80 drawn by the generation request input in the areas of the firstwindow 201 and the second window 203. The controller 140 may display thefirst window 201 in at least one (for example, the third area) of theleft and right areas split from the first window 201 and display thethird window 205 in the other area (for example, the fourth area).Further, the controller 140 may display the second window 203 in atleast one (for example, the fifth area) of the left and right areassplit from the second window 203 and display the fourth window 207 inthe other area (for example, the sixth area).

Referring to FIG. 7B, the controller 140 may display an application list82 related to at least one or each of the third window 205 and thefourth window 207. The controller 140 may obtain an input of selectingat least one application from the application list 82. Referring to FIG.7C, the controller 140 may provide an application selected from thethird window 205 to the third window 205. Referring to FIG. 7D, thecontroller 140 may provide an application selected from the fourthwindow 207 to the fourth window 207.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a windowaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the electronic device may determine at least apartial area of a UI corresponding to an input in operation 801.According to an embodiment, the electronic device may determine an areacorresponding to an input obtained in an area of the first window. Forexample, when the input draws a closed curve, an area inscribed orcircumscribed in the closed curve may be determined as at least thepartial area. In any embodiment, when the input draws a line (forexample, a curve) of one or more strokes, an area circumscribed in theline of one or more strokes may be determined as at least the partialarea. In any embodiment, when the input draws a line of one or morestrokes, an area corresponding to a quadrangle, which includes a startpoint and an end point of the line of one or more strokes as vertexesfacing each other, may be determined as at least the partial area. Inany embodiment, when the input draws a line crossing at least a part ofthe UI, an area corresponding to the UI may be split into a first areaand a second area based on the line and at least one of the first areaand the second area may be determined as at least the partial area.

In operation 803, the electronic device may generate a window based onat least the partial area. In any embodiment, when a size of at leastthe partial area is smaller than a predetermined size, a window havingthe predetermined size may be generated. In any embodiment, when alength of at least one side of at least the partial area is smaller thana predetermined length, a window may be generated such that each side ofat least the partial area is longer than or equal to the predeterminedlength.

In operation 805, the electronic device may display an application listrelated to the window. According to an embodiment, an executableapplication list may be displayed on the window. In any embodiment, thelist may include at least one of an application configured by the userand an application which can be used in the window. In any embodiment,only an application which can be executed in the size of the window maybe displayed.

In operation 807, based on an input of selecting at least oneapplication from the list, the electronic device may provide theselected application through the window. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device may provide the application or a function thereofaccording to different attributes based on a size of the generatedsecond window.

According to various embodiments, at least part of a device (forexample, modules or functions thereof) or a method (for example,operations) according to the various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be embodied by, for example, one or more instructionsstored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium provided ina form of a programming module. When the command is executed by one ormore processors (for example, controller 140), the one or moreprocessors may perform a function corresponding to the command. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium may be, for example, thestorage unit 120. At least a part of the programming module may beimplemented (for example, executed) by, for example, the controller 140.At least a part of the programming module may include, for example, amodule, a program, a routine, a set of instructions and/or a process forperforming one or more functions.

The non-transitory computer readable recording medium may includemagnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape,optical media such as a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) and aDVD, magneto-optical media such as a floptical disk, and hardwaredevices specially configured to store and perform a program instruction(for example, programming module), such as a Read Only Memory (ROM), aRandom Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory and the like.

Further, the program commands may include high class language codes thatcan be executed in a computer by using an interpreter, as well asmachine language codes that are made by a compiler. The aforementionedhardware device may be configured to operate as one or more softwaremodules in order to perform the operation of the present disclosure, andvice versa. A programming module according to the present disclosure mayinclude at least one of the described component elements, a few of thecomponent elements may be omitted, or additional component elements maybe included. Operations executed by a module, a programming module, orother component elements according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or ina heuristic manner. Also, a few operations may be executed based on adifferent order, may be omitted, or may additionally include anotheroperation.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: displaying, at a display ofan electronic device, a first screen on a window; receiving, by theelectronic device, a first input comprising a line drawn across a partof the first screen; determining, by the electronic device, a partialarea corresponding to a quadrangle including a start point and an endpoint of the line of the one or more strokes; dividing, by theelectronic device, the window into a first area and a second area inresponse to the first input, the second area corresponding to thepartial area; displaying, at the display of the electronic device, atleast a part of the first screen on the first area; displaying, at thedisplay of the electronic device, an application list on the secondarea; receiving, by the electronic device, a second input for selectingan application from the application list; and displaying, at the displayof the electronic device, a second screen related to the selectedapplication on the second area in response to the second input.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the displaying the application list comprisesdisplaying at least one application icon.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the at least one application icon is configured by a user. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the second screen comprises an executionscreen related to the selected application.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the application list is configured by a user.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprises: displaying, at the display of the electronicdevice, the line based on the first input.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein each of the first input and the second input comprises a touchinput that is generated by at least one of a user's touch input or anelectronic pen.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining a size of the first area based on the first input, whereinthe displaying of the at least the part of the first screen on the firstarea comprises displaying the first area having a predetermined size,upon determining that the size of the first area is smaller than thepredetermined size.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining a size of the second area based on the first input, whereinthe displaying of the application list on the second area comprisesdisplaying the second area having a predetermined size, upon determiningthat the size of the second area is smaller than the predetermined size.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first screen comprises at leastone of a home screen or an application selected by a user.
 11. Anelectronic device comprising: a display; and at least one processorconfigured to: receive a first input comprising a line drawn across apart of a first screen on a window, determine a partial areacorresponding to a quadrangle including a start point and an end pointof the line of the one or more strokes, divide the window into a firstarea and a second area in response to the first input, the second areacorresponding to the partial area; control the display to display atleast a part of the first screen on the first area, control the displayto display an application list on the second area, receive a secondinput for selecting an application from the application list, andcontrol the display to display a second screen related to the selectedapplication on the second area in response to the second input.
 12. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the application list comprises atleast one application icon.
 13. The electronic device of claim 12,wherein the at least one application icon is configured by a user. 14.The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the second screen comprisesan execution screen related to the selected application.
 15. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the application list isconfigured by a user.
 16. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein theat least one processor is further configured to control the display todisplay the line based on the first input.
 17. The electronic device ofclaim 11, wherein each of the first input and the second input comprisesa touch input that is generated by at least one of a user's touch inputor an electronic pen.
 18. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein theat least one processor further configured to: determine a size of thefirst area based on the first input, and control the display to displaythe first area having a predetermined size upon determining that thesize of the first area is smaller than the predetermined size.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the at least one processorfurther configured to: determine a size of the second area based on thefirst input, and control the display to display the second area having apredetermined size upon determining that the size of the second area issmaller than the predetermined size.
 20. The electronic device of claim11, wherein the first screen comprises at least one of a home screen oran application selected by a user.